What is the proper sequence of events for a wedding reception?

Our wedding reception and ceremony will be held at the same site. I am having trouble planning the structure of the reception. We will be having a band, and I do not know if the band starts playing before or after dinner is served. When does the toast, the first dance, the cake cutting, the garter and bouquet toss take place? I would like to have about a half an hour cocktail/mingle session after the ceremony and then start with the reception. Please offer some helpful advice.

The cool thing about your wedding is you get to choose. Often the band will play mellow music while people eat, or you can have cds so it's not dead quiet in the hall. You should talk to the band to see what all is included in your fee. Usually the toast occurs after the bridal party has finished eating - but not necessarily before everyone else has finished. the other events - the cake, garter, etc may be dictated by your photographer- if you only have him or her for a short time at your reception you may want to get those things over with first- so you get pictures.

But traditionally...
Eat
Toast
First Dance
Introduce bridal party and parents dance
Everyone can dance for awhile
Cake
More dancing
Garter and Bouquet toss later
More dancing =)

Some people have opted for other bouquet ideas such as having all the married couples dance and as the dance goes on ask those married less than 4 hours to leave the floor, then less than 5 years, less than 10 years etc, until you get to the couple married the longest. Get a picture of you and your husband with this couple and give the woman the bouquet. Often they will/can offer a bit of advice.

If the band is not playing the wedding ceremony music, then they should start playing during the 30 minute mingling time.

The toasts happen when everyone is seated, before dinner is served. After dinner, you and your fiance have your first dance. Later in the evening, toss the bouquet and garter.

Traditionally, the cake cutting was one of the last things done at the wedding; it was a sign for the guests that they can go home now. Nowadays people want to eat the cake for dessert, so you can cut it sooner. Either before the toasts or after dinner/before the first dance would work.

Really, it doesn't matter how you structure the reception, so long as the toasts happen before the food and so long as the first dance really is the first dance.

It's really however YOU want to do it. But these might help

http://www.usabride.com/wedplan/a_sched_...

http://www.visiondjs.com/hints.htm

http://singles.syl.com/weddingreception....

http://www.abcompany.com/usa/id/dj/recep...

You can have it any way you like. It is your wedding. I would recommend that your band play soft wedding music before & during dinner. The reason I say that is because your reception can become noisy with guest talking and the music is a way to provide entertainment and drown out the different conversation that's going on.

This is what I've seen done at receptions.

*Introduction of wedding party.

* Bridal party is served food first then the guests eat.

* The bride & groom's first dance.
side note: After the first dance, the music should speed up to more dancing music if that what you want.

*Cutting of the cake

*Toast

* Throwing of bouquet/garter

* Bride and groom greets guests and thank them for attending their special day.


Have fun and congratulations,

Here's what we did:

1) Served hot/cold appetizers for a half hour before guests entered the reception hall, which was attached to the church.

2) We entered and immediately cut the cake. My husband made our wedding cake because he was a pastry chef and it was 5 tiers and simply gorgeous.

3) We ate dinner.

4) We danced to our song, What a Wonderful World.

5) The floor opened for all dancers.

6) Greek dancing began.

It was just perfect!!